“And when your
children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is
the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the
Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:26-27)
On a specific day, the family (and other people)
would sit at the table to celebrate Passover day. They were sitting at the
table other days too…but this was a special day, with special food and a special
“way” of serving.
The table was set up differently…the mood was
different. Each food item on the table has its own significance.
At one point, the younger child would ask the
question: “What is this?” or “What is the meaning of this?” The question was
part of the celebration.
The eldest participant will then proceed to tell
“the story” – the mighty deed of God – the Great Escape…the Great Deliverance.
The story was also part of the celebration…in fact it was the main part of it.
Fast forward to the time when Jesus was just about
to conclude His ministry. Jesus instructed His disciples to set up the place to
celebrate the Passover (Matthew 26:18). On that night, Jesus and His disciples
sat at the table. It was
“the night He was
betrayed” (1Cor
11:23).
Indeed, at the table that night, past events were
celebrated…affirming their importance and crediting God for His mighty act.
Yet, at that table that night a new covenant was set
in place by God’s own Son. A new covenant, “sealed” by Jesus’ blood – blood
that secured a complete and lasting forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12).
Then, at the table that night, Jesus “prepared” for us a table and a meal that allow us to hear the story – the new story of redemption: us, being liberated from the power of sin and cleansed in order to “declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1Peter 2:9).